SNAP FLOOD IN VALLEY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29153, 14 March 1960, Page 12

SNAP FLOOD IN VALLEY

29 Families Left Isolated

(New Zealand Preu Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, March 13.

A bulldozer, a mechanical loader and a chain-saw were used to help restore communication today within the western area of the Okoki Valley, extending nearly 20 miles south of Urenui, where roads and farms were drying out from the effects of a short but devastating cloudburst on Saturday morning. The valley itself and 29 settlers in it are still isolated.

A small bridge over the Kohangamoa stream near Mr N Knofflock’s farm, five miles inland on the Okoki road, was washed away by the cloudburst Until this is replaced by a temoorary bridge, probably on Tuesday, the valley is closed, except for those who cross the Kohangamoa on foot. Stock losses were much lighter than at first feared, but many chains, perhaps miles, of farm fences were swept away. One house, that of Mr W. H. Whittaker, at the southern end of Piko road, was flooded and 'urniture, linoleum and bedding from it were being dried out in the sun today. Settlers on the Kaka and Upper Okoki roads, the other two roads which serve the valley, were almost unaffected by the cloudburst, which left power and teleohone lines intact, in spite of the other damage which it did to the farms on Piko road.

Farmers in the valley estimated that between six and eight inches of rain fell in the hourlong , cloudburst which broke about 6 a.m.. after steady overnight rain. The downpour quickly swelled the narrow, shallow Urenui river, which spread over farmlands breaking into homesteads and outbuildings, and taking stock, timber and bridges in its wake. Almost as quickly as it came the flood subsided leaving farmlands covered with mud, silt and logs up to a foot deep in some places.